# Accident 19980704015959A: Bbavia 7GCB, Neavitt, MD, July 4, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 4, 1998, 11:15 local time
- Place: Neavitt, MD
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.7201° N, 76.2800° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7201&lon=-76.2800&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9985Y, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9985Y-2018-06-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Champion 7GCB (registry code 21101PC, https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcb) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BBAVIA 7GCB
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 261 total, 27 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC98LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA141) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980704015959A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ACFT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A CREEK IN ABOUT 20 FEET OF WATER, LOST POWER, FLIPPED OVER AND SANK.(-23) PILOT TOOK OFF IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION FROM A SHELTERED (TREE LINED), WIDE CREEK (APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF NAUTICAL MILE WIDE BY ONE AND ONE HALF MILE LONG CLEAR AREA). THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT LESS THAN TEN KNOTS. PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY OAFTER TAKE OFF, PLANE VEERED TO RIGHT AND THAT THE STICK WAS STIFF ALLOWING NO LEFT AILERON. THE SINGLE ENGINE SEA PLANE STRUCK THE WATER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO RESTRICTION TO AILERON, RUDDER OR ELEVATOR CONTROLS.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                (.4)THE PILOT POSITIONED THE AIRPLANE FOR A WATER DEPARTURE, AND ADVANCED THE THROTTLE. THE AIRPLANE THEN ACCELERATED NORMALLY, AND BECAME AIRBORNE ABOUT 60 MPH.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE BROKE THE WATER IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT.  THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL BECAUSE ON MOST WATER DEPARTURES ONE FLOAT WILL COME OFF THE WATER FIRST CAUSING A SLIGHT TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.  HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE THE TURN TO THE RIGHT CONTINUED.  THE PILOT TRIED TO STOP THE TURN WITH LEFT STICK, AND LEFT RUDDER BUT FOUND THEM INEFFECTIVE.  THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK THE WATER, RIGHT FLOAT AND RIGHT WING FIRST, FLIPPED OVER, AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. BOTH THE PILOT AND PASSENGER HAD LIFE-VESTS ON, AND EXITED THE AIRPLANE FROM UNDERWATER.  WINDS WERE REPORTED CALM BY A WITNESS AND FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED. THE AIRPLANE'S FLOATS SHOWED MINIMAL CORROSION AND ALL THE CHAMBERS WERE INTACT. THE PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 30 HOURS OF FLOAT PLANE EXPERIENCE, AND HE RECEIVED HIS SEAPLANE RATING ABOUT JULY 1993.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC98LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA141), Jul 4, 1998: Champion 7GCG (N9985Y), Neavitt, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane.

## Other reports on N9985Y (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19960502011939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960502011939A), May 2, 1996: Bbavia 7GCB (N9985Y), Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Tundra tried Aeronca began ground loop landing. Left gear too much side load collapsed. Axle fractured.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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